The second round of the Citi DC Open 2025 women’s singles begins on Wednesday, July 23, showcasing several intriguing matches, including a closely watched contest featuring Emma Navarro. Navarro, seeded second, is favored to advance in what promises to be a challenging round. This tournament has drawn notable players such as Venus Williams, who continues to impress during her comeback at 45, and top seeds like Elena Rybakina and Clara Tauson.
Venus Williams Shines Amidst a Historic Comeback
Veteran Venus Williams secured a victory in her opening singles match, defeating World No. 35 Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4, adding to her earlier doubles win. At 45, Williams has become only the second player over 45 years old to win a main draw match in recent history, following Martina Navratilova’s feat at Wimbledon 2004 when she was 47. This notable achievement highlights Williams’ enduring talent and resilience as she competes against a field of younger, highly ranked opponents.
Emma Navarro’s Strong Position Heading into a Tough Match
Emma Navarro, who received a bye into the second round as the tournament’s second seed, boasts a 24-17 record this year. She recently reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and holds an 11-7 hardcourt record for 2025, including a title at the Merida Open and a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open. Her upcoming opponent, Maria Sakkari, has the edge in their head-to-head record at 2-1, but Navarro’s recent form positions her as the favorite for this encounter.
Sakkari’s ranking has slipped to No. 90, and she holds a 1-9 record against top 20 opponents this season. Navarro’s consistent performance and confidence on hardcourts increase her chances to secure a significant upset over Sakkari, potentially marking a key moment in her season.
Magda Linette and Anna Kalinskaya to Clash in Competitive Matchup
Magda Linette enters the second round after overcoming Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-4, improving her 2025 hardcourt record to 12-9. Linette has delivered solid results this season, including a quarterfinal appearance at the Miami Open. Her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, snapped a losing streak with her first-round win but carries a less impressive 5-7 record on hardcourts this year.
Kalinskaya has yet to record a victory over a top 50 player this season and has only once won back-to-back hardcourt matches. Linette’s stronger form and experience on this surface make her the predicted winner in this match.
Elena Rybakina to Face Canadian Teenager Alexandra Mboko
Elena Rybakina, the third seed, received a bye for the opening round and holds an impressive 31-13 record in 2025. Her best results include a clay-court title, a semifinal in Dubai, and deep runs in the Australian Open and Indian Wells Open. She will meet Alexandra Mboko, a promising Canadian teenager who recently beat Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-4 to advance.
Mboko’s steady climb has been marked by three wins over top 50 players and consistent performances as she transitions from ITF events to the WTA Tour. This will be the first meeting between Rybakina and Mboko. Despite Mboko’s resilience, Rybakina’s experience on the big stage gives her the edge going into this encounter.
Clara Tauson Set to Extend Winning Run Against Kaitlyn Dolehide
Qualifier Kaitlyn Dolehide earned a tough three-set victory over McCartney Kessler to reach round two, improving her main draw record to 11-12 for 2025. Meanwhile, fourth seed Clara Tauson, with a 27-14 season record, enters with strong momentum including a title in Auckland and a runner-up finish in Dubai.
Tauson boasts an outstanding 17-6 record on hardcourts, excelling particularly against players ranked outside the top 50 with a 9-1 mark. Given Dolehide’s 0-5 record against top 20 opponents this year and Tauson’s previous win in their sole meeting, Tauson is expected to prevail with relative ease.
The Significance of This Round for Emerging Talent and Established Players
Day 3 of the Citi DC Open highlights the evolving landscape of women’s tennis, where emerging talents like Emma Navarro and Alexandra Mboko challenge established players aiming to maintain or regain top form. Navarro’s Citi DC Open prediction positions her as a potential spoiler, capable of upsetting a higher-ranked rival and advancing deep into the tournament.
Matches like Navarro vs. Sakkari and Rybakina vs. Mboko underscore the dynamic competition between rising stars and experienced players, promising intense and passionate tennis action. The outcomes of these matches are likely to shape the narrative for the rest of the Citi DC Open and influence rankings as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Emma Navarro’s gender?
A. Navarro was a college tennis player at the University of Virginia. She won the NCAA Singles Championship in 2021. Later, she became the first women’s singles NCAA champion to make it to the US Open semifinals.